C Hypolocrian Scale on the Piano - Improvisation and Composition

The C Hypolocrian uses eight notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Octatonic -scales that have Eight-note (or Eight-tone).
On the piano keyboard, it is made up of one black keys: F# and six white keys: C, D, E, G, A, and B. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Aeolian, C Aeolian Harmonic, and C Aeolian Major - as great choices for composing or improvising Greek music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Hypolocrian Scale we can find it has no flats and one sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find one accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, D, E, F#, G, A, and B.

How to play the C Hypolocrian scale?

1

To play the C Hypolocrian on your piano, start on the Root note.
Play C, the first note of the scale.

2

Continue with rest of the notes
that shape the scale, play D, E, F#, G, A, and B.

3

Return to the home of the C Hypolocrian scale.
Play again C -the tonic of the scale- to mark its ending.

How to play the scale in descending fashion?

1

Begin on the last note.
Play the C, the last (and first) note of the scale.

2

Go down.
Play B, A, G, F#, E, and D.

3

Reach the home again.
Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Hypolocrian scale: C.

4

Tip.
If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Hypolocrian scale or any other scale, check out our piano improvisation and composition lessons and enjoy thousands of interactive multimedia piano animations.